JOB-HUNTING TIPS FORYOUNG MEN AND WOMEN
Young men and women who are preparing to enter the workforce may discover a job market that’s difficult to crack. Getting a foot in the door in your desired field is not always easy, but those looking to land that first job out of college can consider the following tips to help them take that all-important first step toward a rewarding career.
DECIDE ON A PATH
Blindly searching for work or “any old job” is a recipe for an aimless search that likely won’t land you a job you enjoy. Decide what you want to do and for what company you want to work;then you can proceed with a more refined search that does not waste your time pursuing positions you don’t really want.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO SEEK ADVICE
Once yo u determine some companies you may want to work for, don’t be afraid to seek advice from people who already work for those companies. Even if these businesses don’t have any current openings, you might be able to schedule informational meetings. Treat such meetings as you would a job interview, asking questions about the industry and what you can do to get your foot in the door. After the meeting, send a handwritten thankyou note to the person who took time out of his or her day to give you the informational meeting.
LEARN FROM EACH JOB INTERVIEW
Many people, especially young people just starting out, go to many job interviews before finally landing a job. Each interview is not just an opportunity to land a job or hone your interviewing skills, but also a chance to learn what employers are looking for. Many interviews for entry-level jobs are similar, regardless of the industry, so make note of your responses that went over well and those that might need a little more work.
EXPLAIN WHY YOU SHOULD BE HIRED
Job seekers should be able to explain both their enthusiasm for the job and why they are right for that job. Keep your description of your capabilities concise, but don’t be afraid to confidently state why you are the best possible candidate.
LOOK FOR VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
After you have targeted a field in which you want to work, you may find that there are few paying opportunities within that field; however, you might be able to volunteer, or even pursue an internship, if you recently graduated from college. Volunteering or accepting an unpaid internship is a great way to start making some contacts and gaining some legitimate experience, and working for free might just indicate to prospective employers that you are serious about pursuing a particular career — not just landing a job.
Young people may be met with a difficult job market upon graduating from college, but there are ways to make job hunts easier and land the job of your dreams.